‘Anyone who sends a message to someone in Dubai on electronic media that is critical or a complaint then they can find themselves subject to a police investigation and if convicted they can be fined or even imprisoned.’

It comes just days after British prostate cancer sufferer Perry Coppins was freed from a Dubai prison.

A customs officer told the 61-year-old, from Nottingham, he had ‘too many’ pills and was arrested at the port of Furairah in the United Arab Emirates.

The maritime security officer was carrying his medicine with his prescription, which is legal to take in the United Arab Emirates.

But he was jailed for five weeks despite his explanation that he needed enough of his medication to last him for a six-month trip.